1958–59 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1958–59 season
Chairman Jake Bloom
Manager Norman Low
Stadium Vale Park
Football League Fourth Division 1st (64 Points)
FA Cup First Round
Top goalscorer League: Stan Steele (22)
All: Stan Steele (22)
Highest home attendance 20,916 vs. Coventry City (4 April 1959)
Lowest home attendance 8,851 vs. Chester (21 February 1959)
Average home league attendance 12,757
Home colours

The 1958–59 season was Port Vale's 47th season of football in the Football League, and their first season in the newly created Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division South.[1] They scored a club-record 110 goals in 46 league matches to storm to the Fourth Division title. Forwards Stan Steele, Jack Wilkinson, Graham Barnett, Harry Poole, and John Cunliffe all reached double-figures in front of goal.

Overview

Fourth Division

The pre-season saw the arrival of the 'speedy and direct' winger Brian Jackson (signed from Liverpool for £2,000), experienced left-back Roy Pritchard (Notts County), and Peter Hall (Stoke City).[1] There was also a change of chairman, as Jake Bloom took charge.[1] He initiated a change of kit, as Vale played in black and amber striped jerseys with black shorts.[1]

The season opened with a 4–1 home defeat by Northampton Town, Andy Woan scoring the first goal of the new division.[1] Roy Sproson was then dropped from the first eleven, and Vale failed to find a win in Burslem until 29 September.[1] Their away form proved to be outstanding though, as the team recorded seven wins in their first nine away fixtures.[1] On 24 September, Vale Park saw its first match under the new £17,000 floodlights, as the club beat West Bromwich Albion (who included Ronnie Allen in their line-up) 5–3.[1] With a 4–1 win over Southport five days later, The Sentinel's 'T.G.F.' remarked that "the spell is broken".[1] Vale remained unbeaten at home for the rest of the season.[1] Strong in attack, the club took until 11 October before failing to score, in a goalless draw with Oldham Athletic witnessed by Shirley Bassey (as a guest of Norman Low).[1] A fortnight later Vale failed to beat Carlisle United, as referee J.G.Williams blew the full-time whistle just as a Jack Wilkinson header was floating into the opposition's net.[1] On 8 November, Vale beat Exeter City 5–3 in a top-of-the-table clash.[1] Two consecutive away defeats followed soon after, as Vale fell down to third.[1] The 4–2 loss in an 'appalling mud bath' at The Den saw the débuts of keeper Ken Hancock and striker Graham Barnett.[1]

A twelve match unbeaten run followed, taking Vale four points clear at the top.[1] This included a triumphant 8–0 Boxing day win over Gateshead (their biggest win since 24 September 1932), followed by a 4–0 win at Redheugh Park on New Year's Day.[1] Roy Sproson was then brought back into the defensive line, whilst up front Stan Steele 'did the work of two men', Harry Poole brought 'flexibility and fluidity', and Barnett scored from half-chances.[1] Just as Vale seemed to be running away with the title, defeat came on 16 March at Highfield Road to Coventry City.[1] The following month the "Valiants" beat the "sky blues" 3–0, taking them six points ahead of the chasing pack.[1] Promotion was secured on 18 April with a 1–1 draw at home to Darlington, and the title was secured with a final day victory over Millwall.[1]

They finished as champions with 64 points, four points clear of second, and seven clear of fifth spot.[1] They had secured twelve victories on the road, as despite nobody recording a hat-trick all season, a club-record 110 goals were scored – with five players reaching double-figures.[1] The defence was also strong, only Coventry and York City conceded fewer.[1] Praise came in for manager Norman Low, who in turned praised Barnett as 'the supreme goal poacher', Hancock as 'the find of the season', whilst Steele was 'the model of consistency'.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, gate receipts rose by 20% to £39,934, whilst there was a transfer credit of £6,075.[1] Wages had risen to £26,535, however the club's Sportsmen's Association made a donation of £9,069 to give the club a profit of £8,595.[1] Pleased with his players, Low only released Alan Martin (Northwich Victoria) and reserve Ken Higgs (who went on to enjoy a successful cricket career).[1] The stadium received an upgrade, as the Bycars End was terraced, increasing capacity by 6,500 to 50,000, and the car park was extended and additional drains were installed.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale exited in the First Round with a 1–0 defeat by Torquay United at Plainmoor.

Final league table

Pos
 Team
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GAvg
 Pts
Qualification or relegation
1 Port Vale (C) 46 26 12 8 110 581.897 64 Promoted to the Third Division
2 Coventry City (P) 46 24 12 10 84 471.787 60 Promoted to the Third Division
3 York City (P) 46 21 18 7 73 521.404 60
4 Shrewsbury Town (P) 46 24 10 12 101 631.603 58
5 Exeter City 46 23 11 12 87 611.426 57
6 Walsall 46 21 10 15 95 641.484 52
7 Crystal Palace 46 20 12 14 90 711.268 52
8 Northampton Town 46 21 9 16 85 781.090 51
9 Millwall 46 20 10 16 76 691.101 50
10 Carlisle United 46 19 12 15 62 650.954 50
11 Gillingham 46 20 9 17 82 771.065 49
12 Torquay United 46 16 12 18 78 771.013 44
13 Chester 46 16 12 18 72 840.857 44
14 Bradford Park Avenue 46 18 7 21 75 770.974 43
15 Watford 46 16 10 20 81 791.025 42
16 Darlington 46 13 16 17 66 680.971 42
17 Workington 46 12 17 17 63 780.808 41
18 Crewe Alexandra 46 15 10 21 70 820.854 40
19 Hartlepools United 46 15 10 21 74 880.841 40
20 Gateshead 46 16 8 22 56 850.659 40
21 Oldham Athletic 46 16 4 26 59 840.702 36 Re-elected
22 Aldershot 46 14 7 25 63 970.649 35
23 Barrow 46 9 10 27 51 1040.490 28
24 Southport 46 7 12 27 41 860.477 26

Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAAHHAAHAAHHAHHAHAHHAAAHAHHHAHAHHAAHAAHHAAHAAH
ResultLWDLDWWDWDLWWWDWDWWWLLWWWWWWDWWWWWLWLWWWLDDDDW
Position171513171796746964333331113222221222111111111111111

Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Football League Fourth Division

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
23 August 1958Northampton TownH1–415,018Wilkinson
26 August 1958WatfordA2–011,948Jackson, Poole
30 August 1958WorkingtonA2–25,998o.g., Steele
1 September 1958WatfordH1–310,458Poole
6 September 1958York CityH2–210,104Steele, Wilkinson
8 September 1958Hartlepools UnitedA5–16,158Wilkinson (2), Cunliffe (2), Steele
13 September 1958Bradford Park AvenueA2–09,683Wilkinson, Steele
15 September 1958Hartlepools UnitedH1–19,313Wilkinson
20 September 1958AldershotA4–06,211Poole, Steele, Cunliffe, o.g.
23 September 1958SouthportA2–23,274Steele, Wilkinson
27 September 1958Crystal PalaceH2–313,952Poole, Hall
29 September 1958SouthportH4–19,788Poole (2), Cunliffe, Wilkinson
4 October 1958ChesterA2–18,197Steele (2)
6 October 1958Torquay UnitedH3–113,102Wilkinson (2), Hall
11 October 1958Oldham AthleticH0–013,432
18 October 1958BarrowA2–14,909Wilkinson, Cunliffe
25 October 1958Carlisle UnitedH1–112,894Wilkinson (pen)
1 November 1958GillinghamA2–09,940Jackson, Steele
8 November 1958Exeter CityH5–314,282Steele (2), Poole, Jackson, Cunliffe
22 November 1958Shrewsbury TownH2–012,047Poole, Wilkinson
29 November 1958DarlingtonA0–26,160
13 December 1958MillwallA2–411,056Steele, Barnett
20 December 1958Northampton TownA4–26,907Poole (2), Kinsey, Barnett
26 December 1958GatesheadH8–016,899Cunliffe (2), Poole (2), Steele (2), Jackson (pen), Barnett
1 January 1959GatesheadA4–04,674Cunliffe (2), Steele, Poole
23 January 1959WalsallH2–111,569Barnett, Wilkinson
31 January 1959Bradford Park AvenueH4–212,377Wilkinson (2), Steele, Kinsey
7 February 1959AldershotH3–210,608Barnett (2), Steele
14 February 1959Crystal PalaceA1–113,305Cunliffe
21 February 1959ChesterH4–08,851Wilkinson, Jackson, Steele, Barnett
28 February 1959Oldham AthleticA2–07,515Barnett (2)
2 March 1959WorkingtonH2–010,978Poole, Kinsey
7 March 1959BarrowH4–110,034Wilkinson (2), Cunliffe, Barnett
14 March 1959Carlisle UnitedA3–06,110Barnett (2), Steele
16 March 1959Coventry CityA0–128,429
21 March 1959GillinghamH3–111,119Steele, Cunliffe, Barnett
27 March 1959Crewe AlexandraA0–215,330
28 March 1959Exeter CityA4–312,088Steele (2), Poole, Sproson
30 March 1959Crewe AlexandraH1–120,524Jackson (pen)
4 April 1959Coventry CityH3–020,916Wilkinson (2), Jackson (pen)
11 April 1959Shrewsbury TownA3–410,619Barnett (2), Cunliffe
15 April 1959York CityA0–09,755
18 April 1959DarlingtonH1–111,577Barnett
22 April 1959Torquay UnitedA1–15,036Barnett
25 April 1959WalsallA1–16,626Barnett
27 April 1959MillwallH5–213,473Barnett (2), Poole, Jackson, Cunliffe

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R115 November 1958Torquay UnitedA0–16,526

Player statistics

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
Summer 1958DFEnglandRoy PritchardNotts CountyFree transfer[3]
May 1958MFEnglandPeter HallStoke CityFree transfer[3]
July 1958MFEnglandBrian JacksonLiverpool£1,700[3]
August 1958FWEnglandDennis BaileyBolton WanderersFree transfer[3]
November 1958GKEnglandKen HancockStoke CityFree transfer[3]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
April 1959GKWalesKeith JonesCrewe AlexandraFree transfer[3]
Summer 1959MFEnglandAlan MartinNorthwich VictoriaReleased[3]

References

Specific
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Kent, Jeff (1990). "Fame and Fortune (1950–1959)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 171–196. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. ↑ Port Vale 1958–1959 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
General
  • Kent, Jeff (1993). The Port Vale Record 1879-1993. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9508981-9-8.
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